UPDATE: Bomb attack in Lurgan

Clint Aiken

Viable device that detonated ‘was significant and absolutely designed to kill’

Phone call and the first device were designed to lure police into the area

Petrol bombs thrown by ‘by a small and unrepresentative section of the community’

The security alert in Lurgan is now over following what was described as ‘a clear and unequivocal murder attempt on the policemen and women who serve the community’.

It has emerged that two devices were planted in the area in an all too familiar ‘come on’ tactic employed by the terrorists.

It is my belief that the phone call and the first device were designed to lure police into the area to be targeted by the second device. This was a clear and unequivocal murder attempt on the policemen and women who serve the community in Lurgan

Superintendent David Moore

Remnants of an improvised explosive device which detonated, have been recovered along with another device which was not capable of detonating.

Speaking last night Superintendent David Moore said: “The viable device that detonated during today’s operation was significant and absolutely designed to kill.

“This alert initially began with a call to the Samaritans this morning that claimed a device which had been aimed at a police patrol during the early hours had failed to explode.

“A suspicious object was quickly located by responding officers and the area was evacuated. An exhaustive search was subsequently carried out, during which the second device detonated.

“It is my belief that the phone call and the first device were designed to lure police into the area to be targeted by the second device. This was a clear and unequivocal murder attempt on the policemen and women who serve the community in Lurgan.

“The professional, methodical and diligent way these same officers responded to this incident undoubtedly saved lives, their own and potentially those of local people who were placed in grave danger by the heinous criminals who planted this device.

“It is also disappointing that during this operation police officers were subjected to repeated attack with petrol bombs and bricks by a small and unrepresentative section of the community.

“That this should happen whilst police officers were already placing themselves at considerable risk in the interests of keeping local people safe, is deeply regrettable.

“I have also been heartened, however, by the support we have received from a much broader section of the local community and those who properly represent them.

“A full investigation is now underway and I implore anyone with any information that could help us identify these would-be murderers, to get in touch on 101 or through the Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111.”

It’s understood that at this time police do not believe that a device was ‘fired’ at them. Both of these devices appear to have been planted in the area.